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Minority Science Students Project
Since 1986, Purdue has hosted the Minority Students Science Project (MSSP). This is a one-week summer program organized by Regina Todd Hicks, Director of Minority Programs for the School of Science. MSSP is supported by external funds from major corporations, as well as funds from the School and the seven departments. Participants are students who have completed their sophomore/ junior years of high school. Normally about 35 students participate each year.
Courses in mathematics play an important part in the training of any scientist. Hence, the Mathematics Department plays two distinct roles in the program. First, it provides scientific presentations as a Department in the School; Professors Johnny Brown, Carl Cowen, and David Drasin have delivered these in recent years.
The Department's other contribution is to administer a diagnostic test in algebra/trig. This is organized by Devilyna Nichols, Coordinator of Elementary Services. Program participants take a version of the placement examination which is given to all incoming Science and Engineering freshmen. (About 50% of freshmen in Science and Engineering are not allowed to enter calculus without at least a semester of remedial work in algebra and trigonometry, which in turn delays entry to most of the standard courses in other science departments.) Mathematics Department graduate students grade the exam; this year we were helped by Razvan Veliche and Anantha Sundararajan. Later, we all meet with the program participants in small groups to review techniques and to encourage them to continue mathematics through their senior year in high school so they will be well prepared for college math and place well in their math courses as college freshmen. These meetings include discussions of the role of mathematics--both as an attractive professional option on its own, and as an important foundation for careers in many areas.
According to Hicks, the program is having a significant impact on minority enrollment, which at present is only about 5%. Many alumni of the program have come to Purdue and graduated, and others have attended other colleges. Additional information about the MSSP may be found on Ms. Hicks's web page (www.science.purdue.edu).
David Drasin
Devilyna Nichols
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